Urabon

盂蘭盆

盂蘭盆を略して盆とかお盆といっています。この日は、祖先の冥福をいのり、飢えに苦しんでいる人たちに食べ物を施す日として昔からの伝統行事になっています。

ですから、各種のごちそうを、まず祖先の霊に供えて、その後にごちそう鵜を欲しい人たちや野獣や野鳥にまで自由時分け与えるのが昔からの習わしなのです。でも、ゆたかになった現代では、ごちそうをもらってかえる人がすくなくなったので、お寺の墓前にごちそうを供える人は少なくなりました。食べ物を持参する事を禁止するお寺も増えています。

お盆参りや僧侶の檀家まわりなどが、いまでも行われています。地方によってお盆の日がちがいますが、一般に７月１５日や８月１５比に行うところが多いようです。

Urabon 

We call "Urabon" "Bon" or "Oo-bon" for short. It has been an old traditional event. On this day we pray that our ancestors' souls may rest in peace and give food and drink to people who are hungry.

 That is why we first offer a variety of dishes to the spirit of our ancestors and after that give them to people who want them or even to wild animals or birds. This custom has been practiced for a long time. But today, richer than before, fewer people want to bring back those dishes so fewer people offer dishes in front of their tombs at temple. More and more temples even ask their visitors not to bring food.

Even today, people visit family cemeteries and priests visit their supporters. Generally in most districts the event is held on July 15 or August 15, but in others it is held on other days.S